A method for detecting the alertness of a vehicle driver includes the detection of a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; the estimation of a visual observation field of the vehicle driver; and the detection of the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver.
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1. A method for ascertaining an alertness of a vehicle driver, characterized by the steps: detecting a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detecting at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receiving at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimating a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detecting the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver.
A method for determining if a driver is alert uses vehicle systems to detect potential hazards. The method identifies optical features on the vehicle with known locations (reference points) using a camera. The camera captures images, and by comparing these images to the known position of these optical features, the system estimates the driver's visual field. The system then assesses driver alertness by comparing the location or direction of the potential hazard with the driver's estimated visual field.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: outputting a warning signal if the orientation of the potentially dangerous situation and the visual observation field do not agree.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, further includes outputting a warning signal if the location or direction of the potential hazard does not align with the driver's visual field.
3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein at least one of an intensity, a duration, a type, and a starting instant of the warning signal is a function of the detected alertness.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver; and outputs a warning signal if the location or direction of the potential hazard does not align with the driver's visual field, modifies the warning signal's characteristics based on the driver's alertness level. The intensity, duration, type (e.g., visual, auditory), or start time of the warning changes depending on how alert the driver is determined to be.
4. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: intervening in a driving operation of the vehicle if the orientation of the potentially dangerous situation and the visual observation field do not agree.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, further includes taking control of the vehicle's driving if the location or direction of a potential hazard doesn't match the driver's visual field.
5. The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein at least one of an intensity, a duration, a type, and a starting instance of the intervention is a function of the detected alertness.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver; and intervenes in a driving operation of the vehicle if the orientation of the potentially dangerous situation and the visual observation field do not agree, modifies the vehicle intervention based on the driver's alertness level. The intensity, duration, type, or start time of the intervention changes depending on how alert the driver is determined to be.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the visual observation field is ascertained based on at least one of: i) a plurality of optical features of the vehicle in a recording of the camera unit, ii) at least an indication of a cardinal direction of a device for detecting a cardinal direction of a portable sensor unit and iii) at least one signal from an acceleration sensor of the portable sensor unit.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, estimates the driver's visual field based on a combination of factors: multiple optical features visible in the camera's recording, the cardinal direction reported by a portable sensor's direction-finding device, and signals from an acceleration sensor within the portable sensor unit.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the potentially dangerous situation is indicated by the orientation or position of an object.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, identifies a potentially dangerous situation by the position or orientation of an object.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising adjusting at least one of a resolution and accuracy of the estimated visual observation field based on at least one of a number and a position of the at least one optical feature.
The alertness detection method which detects a potentially dangerous situation by a system of the vehicle; detects at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receives at least one image recorded by a camera unit; estimates a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; and detects the alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, adjusts the resolution and accuracy of the estimated driver's visual field based on the number and position of the optical features used for reference.
9. A device for alertness detection of a vehicle driver of a vehicle having a system for detecting a potentially dangerous situation, comprising: a sensor unit designed to: detect at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receive at least one image recorded by a camera unit; and estimate a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; a communications module for communication with the system and the sensor unit; and a computer unit set up to detect alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver.
A device that detects driver alertness has a sensor unit to identify vehicle's optical features as reference points. The unit receives images from a camera and estimates the driver's visual field by comparing these images to the known locations of the optical features. A communication module enables interaction with the vehicle's systems and the sensor. A computer assesses alertness by comparing the position or direction of potential hazards (detected by the vehicle's systems) with the driver's estimated visual field.
10. The device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the computer unit is situated in at least one of the system and in the portable sensor unit.
The driver alertness detection device comprised of a sensor unit designed to detect at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receive at least one image recorded by a camera unit; and estimate a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; a communications module for communication with the system and the sensor unit; and a computer unit set up to detect alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, situates the computer within either the vehicle's system for detecting dangerous situations or a portable sensor unit.
11. The device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the at least one optical feature is an infrared transmitter.
The driver alertness detection device comprised of a sensor unit designed to detect at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receive at least one image recorded by a camera unit; and estimate a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; a communications module for communication with the system and the sensor unit; and a computer unit set up to detect alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, uses infrared transmitters as the optical features on the vehicle.
12. The device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the system has at least one camera designed to record pupillae, and thus a gaze direction, of the driver, the computer unit being designed to superpose the gaze direction onto the visual observation field.
The driver alertness detection device comprised of a sensor unit designed to detect at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receive at least one image recorded by a camera unit; and estimate a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; a communications module for communication with the system and the sensor unit; and a computer unit set up to detect alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, uses cameras to monitor the driver's pupils and gaze direction. The system overlays the gaze direction onto the estimated visual field to improve the accuracy of alertness detection.
13. The device as recited in claim 9 , wherein the sensor unit is further designed to adjust at least one of a resolution and accuracy of the estimated visual observation field based on at least one of a number and a position of the at least one optical feature.
The driver alertness detection device comprised of a sensor unit designed to detect at least one optical feature of the vehicle as a reference point, the at least one optical feature having a known position on the vehicle; receive at least one image recorded by a camera unit; and estimate a visual observation field of the vehicle driver by comparing the at least one image with the position of the at least one optical feature; a communications module for communication with the system and the sensor unit; and a computer unit set up to detect alertness of the vehicle driver by comparing an orientation or a position of the potentially dangerous situation to the visual observation field of the vehicle driver, dynamically adjusts the resolution and accuracy of the estimated driver's visual field based on the number and placement of detected optical features.
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March 18, 2016
August 15, 2017
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